British golfer drowns in Spanish lake after falling in when he went to retrieve golf ball

British golfer, 73, drowns in Spanish lake after falling in when he went to retrieve his ball
Thomas Ross fell into lake at Dunas de Donana golf course in AndaluciaMr Ross, 73, from Scotland, was playing the fifth hole when he slippedCourse located near Matalascanas which is popular with British tourists

By
Lee Moran

PUBLISHED:

11:28 GMT, 22 April 2013

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UPDATED:

07:23 GMT, 23 April 2013

Died: Thomas Ross died while on a golfing holiday in Spain

A British golfer drowned in a Spanish lake after he fell in trying to find a lost ball.

Thomas Ross, 73, who could not swim, slipped and tumbled into the water as he played the fifth hole at Dunas de Donana golf course in Almonte, Huelva, Andalucia, at midday on Sunday.

He was pulled out of the lake but died shortly afterwards.

Local media suggest the pensioner could have suffered a fatal heart attack as the water was 'not deep'.

His body was taken to the Forensic Anatomical Institute in Huelva and an autopsy was expected to take place today.

The 18-hole course – which boasts a
driving range, putting green and tennis school – is located near
Matalascanas beach, which is popular with British tourists.

Local news site HuelvaYa reports that
Mr Ross had been staying with a group of friends at the nearby
four-star Carabela Beach & Golf Hotel.

Police sources believe he was from Scotland and was in Spain on holiday.

Tragedy: British golfer Thomas Ross drowned in a lake at the Dunas de Donana golf course (above) after he fell in trying to find a lost ball

It is not known who he was playing golf with at the time of the tragedy.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We
can confirm the death of a British national in the Huelva area of
Andalucia and are offering consular advice to their family.'

Representatives from both the 291-room hotel and the golf course have declined to comment on the death.

A Civil Guard spokesman confirmed Mr Ross as the deceased man and that he was from Scotland.

Resort: Mr Ross was pulled from the water at the Dunas de Donana golf course, but died soon afterwards

Popular: The golf club is near the Matalascanas beach resort which is popular with British holidaymakers